Meningococcal Warning Issued For Splendour In The Grass Attendees

[Tony Senatore]

Meningococcal Warning Issued For Splendour In The Grass Attendees

Tyler Jenke

August 07, 2022

Splendour In The Grass | Image: Bianca Holderness

NSW Health has issued a warning, urging all attendees of this year’s Splendour In The Grass to be wary of symptoms related to meningococcal. As the ABC reports, all attendees of the festival were sent an email on Friday informing them that two cases of meningococcal disease have been confirmed in people present at last month’s festival.

One of the cases was a Sydney man in his 40s, who passed away from the disease after returning from the northern New South Wales music festival.

Two Splendour In The Grass patrons diagnosed with meningococcal

As NSW Health points out, the disease is uncommon, but its impact can be severe. As such, those who attended Splendour In The Grass between 21st July and 24th July should be on alert for sudden onset of fever, headache, joint pain, neck stiffness, and a rash of red-purple spots or bruises.

According to NSW Health, there have been 15 cases of meningococcal disease reported in NSW this year, with younger people most at risk of being affected. Meningococcal disease is classified as a rare, yet contagious condition caused by the meningococcus bacterium. Though largely preventable due to vaccines, the disease still persists on a year-round basis.

The small outbreak of meningococcal in those who attended Splendour In The Grass is the latest development in what’s been a difficult year for the festival, with its first day cancelled due to adverse weather conditions, and the remainder of the three-day event marred by excess mud throughout the festival grounds.